Improvement in apparatus for filling comfortables



F. L. PALMER.

APPARATUS FOR'FI LLING CDMFORTABLES.

Nu.181,710. Patented Aug. 29.- 1876.

r1 PETERS. PROTD-UTHDGRAFHER. WASHINGTON, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron.

FRANK L. PALMER, OF MONTVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT lN APPARATUS FOR FILLING COMFORTABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,710, dated August 29, 1876; application filed April 15, 1876.

To all whom at may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. PALMER, of Montville,in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Filling Comfortables, Blankets, 850.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

In the ordinary process of making comfortables, quilts, and similar articles, it is customary to place the cotton filling between the two pieces of fabric which are to constitute the case or cover, and quilt the whole before sewing up the edges. The quilting is usually done by a sewing-machine, and the edges are sewed up by hand, and great care is required for properly sewing up the edges and finishing the article, involving considerable time and labor.

The object of my invention is to provide for inserting the filling in the case or cover after the edges thereof have been sewed up andto this end the invention consists in a pair of racks or frames of novel construction, adapted to be used in connect-ion with each other and the filling, whereby the filling is readily inserted in the case or cover, and spread smoothly in proper condition for quilting, leaving but one edge to be sewed up in order to finish the article, and thereby saving time and labor.

In carrying out my invention, I construct the rack or frame of a number of rods, each of which has one end rigidly attached to a bar. Each frame is provided at opposite ends with two rods, which may be hinged-to the bar or connected thereto by straps, cords, or

other flexible connections, to enable them to be adjusted to difi'erent positions in order to fold the filling forinsertion in the case or cover, and to spread it smoothly after insertion; or the said two rods may be entirely detached from the bar, and held in place by hand when the apparatus is in use. The case or cover is made by placing the two pieces of fabric face to face, and sewing up three of the edges, so as to form a bag. This sewing may be done by a machine. turned inside out, so as to bring the right side of each piece of fabric outermost. The cotton or other filling is spread on one rack or The bag thus formed is then frame to the proper width, and the other rack or frame is laid thereon. The filling is folded over at each end to lessen the width, and is clamped between the two racks or frames, and inserted bodily into the bag-like case or cover. The filling is spread smoothly, and the racks are withdrawn, and the article is quilted, and the remaining edge sewed up.

This invention is applicable to the manufacture of quilts and comfortables, and also of horse-blankets, lap-robes, and similar articles composed of an outer case or cover and an interior filling.

The bar to which the rods are attached may be hinged so as to fold into a smaller space; or it may be arranged to slide, so as to decrease the width of the frame for the same purpose, or for the purpose of enabling it to be used for filling cases or covers of various widths.

A mode of carrying out my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 represents a rack or frame with two of the rods detached. Fig. 2, shows a rack or frame with the adjustable rods connected to the bar by hinges. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a casing containing the filling, and racks or frames in the position in which they are inserted.

The rack or frame is here shown as composed of a number of rods, B, and a connecting-bar, C, each rod having one end rigidly attached to the bar and the remaining portion of the rod free. Two or more of the rods (one or more at each end of the frame) may be entirely detached from the frame, as shown in Fig. 1, in which B represents the detached rods; or the outer rods B may be connected to the bar C by means of hinges b, as shown in Fig. 2, or by straps or other flexible connections, ..which will enable them to be moved, so as to fold the filling.

When the apparatus is constructed as above. I

described, it is used as shown in Fig. 3. The cotton or other filling A is spread upon one of the racks or frames to the proper width. The detached rods B are laid thereon, near the ends of the frame. The hinged rods B are turned up, so as to fold the filling inward over the rods B", and the other rack or frame is placed on the top of the filling, as shown,

Thetwo racks or frames are then grasped by the hands, so as to clamp the filling firmly between them, and the whole is inserted bodily into the casing or cover D, previously made in bag-like form, as above described. When the points of the rods reach the bottom of the bag, the uppermost rack or frame is withdrawn, and then, by means of the movable rods, the filling is spread smoothly in place, after which the lower frame and movable rods are withdrawn, leaving the filling in position for quilting. The rods may be round or fiat, and are preferably tapering toward their free ends, in order to facilitate their withdrawal. The remaining open edge of the case or cover may be sewed up either before or after quilting, as may be preferred.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

'An apparatus for inserting and adjusting the filling in comfortables and blankets, and for similar purposes, consisting of a pair of adjustable racks or frames, constructed and arranged to operate in connection with each other, substantially as herein described.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 16th day of March, 1876.

FRANK L. PALMER.

Witnesses E. R. BROWN, BENJAMIN W. HOFFMAN. 

